Category Archives: Celebrations

The Braj festival in Rajasthan is dedicated to Lord Krishna who is believed to have spent a considerable amount of time in the region called Braj in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. This festival not only replicates the spirit of Holi but also impersonates the timeless love of Radha and Krishna. The most beautiful highlight of this festival is the Raslila dance performed with great zest and unity. The entire town of Bharatpur is painted into the colours of love and gaiety, where no one is spared from being splashed with colours.

Celebrated a few days ahead of the actual color festival of holi, the braj holi of bharatpur commemorates the same colorful spirit with great pomp and gusto. The town changes tones. The clouds above are jealous of the clouds below, which will wear but white. Splashes of joy are ubiquitous. Come to Braj for the Braj Holi Festival. As the shades mix, a new hue awaits you on 17th March, 2019.

The sacred town of Pushkar in Rajasthan, popularly known as ‘Teerth Raj’, is a kaleidoscope of life, colours and culture where people of different regions and nation’s flock to immerse in its cultural galore! For locals and foreigners alike, Pushkar, the city of absolute being has always been the destination of intrigue. What defines Rajasthan – where heritage meets architecture, culture meets legacy, nobility meets populace and colourful meets trippy – is what exemplifies Pushkar.

The vibrant city of Pushkar in Rajasthan comes alive during Pushkar Fair that raises the spirit of all. The annual Pushkar Fair is a spectacle that celebrates the rich culture of Rajasthan and the vibrant colours of the desert. But the Fair is not just about camels and livestock trading. This is the time when entire Pushkar town bustles with liveliness which is to be experienced and lived.

The film by PATHFYNDER– ‘Pushkar-Beyond Camels and Culture’ is an attempt to capture the same spirit of Pushkar Fair.

You must be wondering that the dry and arid land of Rajasthan has nothing but deserts and sand dunes. But if you think so sitting afar and simply agreeing with this statement, you are most welcome to the state of Rajasthan which not only revolves around monotonous brown sandy deserts. Rajasthan rich with its heritage, culture and traditions has a lot to offer to its guests. With fairs and festivities being celebrated throughout the year, Rajasthan is very vibrant and colourful.

Also to answer your question of it being a desert, Rajasthan have sufficient water to quench your thirst as many rivers flow through our land. Not only this, Rajasthan also has a hill station where you can head to, to beat the summer heat. Though the summer temperatures are as high as 50 degree Celsius, our hill station – Mt. Abu which is one of top 10 getaways from the state’s capital. Mt. Abu hosts a Summer Festival, to make you realize it is not that hot.

The three day Summer Festival is here again with its unique celebrations and festivities from 11th May to 13th May 2018. With the soulful ballad singing to mesmerizing folk dance forms like Gair, Ghoomar and Daph, the celebrations will kick off in style. The highlight of the Summer Festival this time is the Sham-e-Qawwali, which features some of the best folk singers from India. Some other events to keep you engaged in the beauty of the state are horse racing, tug of war, skating races, CRPF band show and boat races on the Nakki Lake.

Come down to Rajasthan to experience the summers with its unique chilly and windy evenings and make it a one of its kind.

World Heritage Day is not just a day to cherish the beautiful monuments around us. The day which is celebrated every year on April 18 is meant to raise awareness to protect our history and culture. International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is the one behind the idea of celebrating a day called International Day for Monuments and Sites. The day came to be known as World Heritage Day and is celebrated by countries that are members of UNESCO.

The theme for World Heritage Day 2018 is ‘Heritage for Generations’. It has been decided keeping in mind the fact that communication across the generations of heritage practitioners generates enriching exchanges by combining the knowledge with the energy and dynamism thus bringing a more holistic approach. Rajasthan is globally popular for its rich heritage of architecture and culture. Having some of the best forts, palaces and monuments in cities like Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur which are till date maintained in really good conditions are very precious to the lives of Rajasthani’s.

Today we want to remind everyone that our heritage needs to be protected. This is an important step towards maintaining the beauty of our state and keeping the spirit of Rajasthan alive forever.

1) Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

Recognized as the World Heritage Site, this observatory fascinates the visitors with the collection of various astronomical instruments which were used earlier to know the correct timings through the movement of celestial bodies.

2) Chittorgarh Fort, Chittor

One of the largest forts of India, it is the true epitome of Rajputana pride and vigour. This massive fort though being attacked thrice by the enemies, couldn’t take over the powerful people of this place. The fort of Chittorgarh is known for its own beauty and uniqueness.

3) City Palace, Udaipur

The grandness of this palace can be seen, as it took almost 400 years to construct this complex. The attractiveness of this palace is shown more effectively as it is surrounded by Lake Pichola. This magnificent palace stands as a fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.

Picture courtesy: myudaipurcity.com

4) Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

One of the largest private residences in the world, it is the house of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family. Not only being a private residence, it also provides the chance to experience the royal and luxurious life at the Taj Palace Hotel in Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur.

5) Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace Of Winds is situated in the capital city of the state of Rajasthan. Its walls of pink colour give a hint of the Pink City – Jaipur. It was constructed especially for the royal women to be a part of the festivities, as they were secluded from the society by ‘parda’ system. Having its own history, today it gets a worldwide recognition.

6) Chand Baori, Abhaneri

A 13 storey step well is one of the oldest and most attractive landmarks of Rajasthan. Constructed mainly to conserve water in the dry arid desert of Rajasthan is an architectural wonder in itself.

7) Amer Fort

Amer or Amber Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is among the most visited places in Jaipur. The fort situated high on a hill overlooking the Maota Lake is spread over a vast area with four levels. Every evening, the fort hosts a spellbinding Light and Sound Show as a part to boost night tourism. With a blend of folk music, the show brings to life the legends, history, traditions and cultures of the Rajputs.

8) City Palace Jaipur

Located in the heart of the old city of Jaipur, City Palace was built in the 18th Century. The Palace is a blend of Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture. Within the premises, one will find many gardens, ravishing courtyards and a museum displaying many artefacts from the bygone era. Buildings like Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Maharani Palace add to the allure of the Palace. Their richly crafted walls and ceiling, marble flooring and the mirror work are just an addition to the beauty of the palace. Govind Dev Ji temple, which is in the palace premises, is also a major tourist attraction and sees a heavy footfall daily.

These are only a few to mention, but when you come to the land of royals, there will be many to add on to the list.

Rajasthan has a lot to cheer up your March. The month of March brings with it bright and vibrant colors. With the onset of spring the festivities in the mighty land of the kings also start with fervor.

69 years ago on 30th March 1949 this Land of Kings united and became a republic state of India. Rajasthan is not confined to one thing but is a traditionally and culturally rich state of India.The state is covered with ancient palaces, temples, havelis (mansions), forts and palaces. The different places of tourist interests along with its picturesque beauty have made Rajasthan an international tourist destination.Rajasthan celebrates its foundation day reliving its heritage and stories. Rajasthan Festival is a 3 day event from 28th March – 30th March organized by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Rajasthan. Ranging from morning chants to musical evenings, there are cultural events to celebrate historical establishment of the majestic state of Rajasthan. Some of the key events which should not be missed during the festival are Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s mega concert, Police Tattoo Show, Motor Bike Show by ‘Seema Bhawani’ Women Cammando team of BSF, musical nights, grand closing ceremony and much more.

With the delighted weather and vibrating liveliness, the streets of Rajasthan are brimming with life and celebrations as the state celebrates its 69th Foundation Day. If you are in Jaipur, one must immerse in the celebrations.

Rajasthan boosts not only in its history and heritage but its beauty reflects in its sparkling deserts, monuments and colorful festivals. On this note, we will take you to one of the most beautiful festivals of Rajasthan – GANGAUR, which truly embodies the spirit of diversity.

Gangaur is one of the most colorful & auspicious festivals of Rajasthan – celebrating spring, harvest & marital fidelity. While ‘Gana‘ is another name for Lord Shiva, ‘Gaur‘ symbolises Gauri aka Parvati, his wife, also an epitome of marital bliss. The 18-day festival is observed by both married & unmarried women where they fast, women dress up in red bandhani sarees and turban clad men worship the clay idols of Isar & Parvati.

When the bright skies have ushered in the festive season of spring, the remote town of Shahpura, located 65 km from the capital Jaipur, came culturally alive when the pious deities of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata were regally taken around the streets and worshipped with vigour & devotion by both men and women. The Shahpura Gangaur Festival, hosted at Shahpura Haveliwas organized by Rani Ratna Kumari Foundationin association with the Rajasthan TourismDepartment.

On the day of Gangaur, the celebration began with the married & unmarried woman; all dressed in colorful Rajasthani attires worshipped idols of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata at the Shahpura Haveli. It was a spectacle to see the idols being gloriously taken to Rawla Moti Mahal, where the great Gangaur Mahotsav was organised. The major attractions of Shahpura Gangaur Festival were the cultural performances of local artists & folk musicians of Rajasthan, several kinds of regional nritya (dances) like Mayur, Nritya, Masak Nritya, Behpang Nritya, magician performance, horse show, and other traditional games & competitions. Artists from various parts of the country namely Udaipur, Deeg, Jodhpur, Haryana, Punjab performed magnificently oozing talent with their euphonic tunes and twinkle toes. The royal family of Shahpura also participated in the festival. The Rani Ratna Kumari Foundation Trust, which works for the upliftment of the downtrodden sections of this small village of Shahpura also felicitated the local artisans in a ceremony.

Pic courtesy- Anudeep Mathur

The grand procession of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata began with all its regal pomp and pageantry at 5 p.m. from Rawla Moti Mahal. Both men & women could be seen beaming in colors of Rajasthan. The procession passing through the vivid markets of the town, encompassed horses, camels, traditional folk dancers, brass bands from Punjab, lancers etc. along with the pious deities of Gangaur Mata ji and Bhagwan Isar ji Maharaj, finally converging at the newly restored Gopinath Temple. The town was seen teeming with both foreign nationals and domestic tourists rejoicing the festivities.

Pic courtesy: Anudeep Mathur

Celebrated with great pomp and show, Shahpura Gangaur Festival gave visitors and tourists a spectacular opportunity to observe Rajasthan’s magnificent culture from close quarters. We are already waiting for next year to witness such a splendid event in a all its royal glamour. Are you?

Gangaur – an important ethnic festival specially celebrated by the ladies of the house is not only celebrated in Jaipur and Mewar but also celebrated with joy and delight in the tiny town of Shahpura. Shahpura is situated in the close corner of rural Rajasthan, 65 kms from the captivating city of Jaipur.

The festival is being hosted by Rani Ratna Kumari Foundation and Shahpura Hotels in association with the Rajasthan Tourism Department. The RRKF focuses on the upliftment of people living in that area with a motto of reviving the local culture. The colourful Gangaur procession starts from the Shahpura Haveli and passes through the streets of Shahpura village with royal pomp and pageantry. The ladies sing traditional songs and offer prayers to the deities. The grand procession included horses, folk dancers, brass band and lancers along with pious deities of Gangaur mata and Bhagwan Isar ji Maharaj, who are symbolic of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva respectively.

Come down to Shahpura and celebrate with the royal family of Shahpura- Maharaj Surendra Singh Shahpura and Rani Ratna Kumari of Shahpura. So if you are a pinning up options for this festival, this is the event that should not be missed!Date– 20th March 2018Venue– Shahpura Haveli, Shahpura